South Africa: Six human rabies deaths since December 2017

Event

According to health officials, as of early March, six fatal cases of human rabies have been reported since December 2017. Of the six cases, three involved contact with rabid dogs and three with rabid cats. According to local sources, the most affected provinces are Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, and Eastern Cape.

Context

Rabies is a viral infection of the central nervous system spread by infected mammals, most often dogs and bats. If not promptly treated rabies is nearly always fatal. Transmission occurs via contaminated saliva transferred via bites and scratches or coming in contact with broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth).

The main line of defense against rabies is to avoid contact with domestic, feral, and wild animals (bites, scratches, licks); a vaccine is available for at-risk individuals (e.g. people who live or travel to isolated areas, far from medical clinics) and treatment is possible before symptoms appear.

Advice

Individuals present in South Africa are advised to avoid all contact with unfamiliar animals (especially ones acting erratically), to make sure pets are vaccinated against the disease, and to seek immediate medical attention in case of any doubts.